Disabled Persons (Independent Living) Bill [HL]

What this bill does

The purpose of the Bill is to enable people with disabilities to make decisions about their own living arrangements by providing rights, and entitlements, to independent living. The Bill would establish duties on local authorities and NHS bodies to promote independent living and to provide certain services. It aims to support disability organisations and proposes that authorities maintain a register of disabled people in their area.Key areasEach disabled person to have the right to choose whether allocated resources are provided in cash, services or a combination of bothAdvocacy provided where there are disputes between carers and disabled personsNew rights to ensure a disabled person is not placed in care against their wishesAmends the Mental Health Act 1983 to ensure independent living options are investigated before authorities decide to section or provide compulsory treatmentBrings care homes within the definition of ‘public authorities’ under the Human Rights Act 1998; and amends the Care Standards Act 2000 to ensure disabled people in residential care have an individual living agreementPlaces a duty on local housing authorities to provide disabled people with accessible and affordable homes.